A hundred workers may lose their jobs after the New People’s Army torched heavy equipment of a mining company in Ayungon, Negros Oriental, with damage estimated at P120 million, Brig. Gen. Ignacio Madriaga, 302nd Infantry Brigade commander, yesterday said.

Madriaga said the communist rebels proved that they belong to a terrorist organization, contrary to their claims that they are fighting for the poor.

By burning the heavy equipment, Madriaga said this is a clear indication that they are impeding the grassroots communities to at least provide for their families.

The NPA Mt. Cansermon Command issued a statement justifying the burning of the heavy equipment of Pilipinas Eco-friendly Mining Corp. (PEMC) that they accused of being behind the destruction of the environment and to the farms in the area, as a result of its operations.

About 30 armed NPA rebels entered the quarry site of PEMC, disarmed the two security guards and set on fire 11 heavy equipment, a dump truck and two generators in Brgy. Jandalamanon, Ayungon, Negros Oriental, on January 2.

Madriaga, who strongly condemned the latest atrocities perpetrated and claimed by the NPA, called on the people who are vulnerable targets of the terrorist organization to immediately report their presence in their areas.*